National guard finds no violations in actions of military at “Azov” house

The National Guard of Ukraine has completed an internal investigation into the detention of people by military personnel in a building that was called a secret prison of “Azov” in Petropavlovska Borshchahivka.

The materials of the investigation will be handed over to the State Bureau of Investigation for a legal assessment of the actions of the National Guard members.

This was stated by Ukrainian Interior Minister Ivan Vyhovskyi during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada at a question hour for the government.

According to him, the specified premises were officially used by the National Guard. The minister denied information about 40 hostages and a deceased person in the building, and also stated that police and guards acted professionally.

“First, the specified premises were officially used by the National Guard. Second, there were no 40 hostages, nor a deceased person, of course. Third, the police and guards acted professionally. During the operation, we did not allow any casualties, let alone deaths,” Vyhovskyi said.

The minister reported that the National Guard’s internal investigation concluded the day before, and all collected materials will be sent to the State Bureau of Investigation to be attached to the criminal proceedings. The pre-trial investigation into the circumstances of the military’s presence in the premises continues.

Vyhovskyi emphasized that the actions of the participants in the protest, including damage to vehicles, attempts to overturn a bus, and throwing stones at law enforcement officers, will also receive a legal assessment.

According to him, more than 160 people involved in the protest have been identified, over 20 of whom were active participants in the unrest. 13 people have already been notified of suspicion.

“The investigation continues. The National Police and the SBU are working as part of a joint investigative group under the procedural guidance of the prosecutor’s office. We will give a legal assessment to the actions of everyone who participated in these illegal actions,” the minister concluded.